Wire drawing and take-up method



Dec. 20, 1927.

F. HONI'GA WIRE DRAWING AND TAKE-UP METHOD Filed Feb. 27. 1924 Patented ec. 20, 1927.

NTED STA TES FRANK HONIGLOF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO CYCLO CORPORATION, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, .A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

Winn DRAWING AND TAKE-Ur METHOD.

Application led February 27, 1924. Serial No. 695,477.

This' invention relates particularly to a continuous wire-drawing method in the sense that the drawing of the wire need not be interrupted at times when the lled spools, or the coils of desired size, are to ber of coils and discharging, or permitting.

the discharge of the coils, from time to time. without interrupting the wire-drawing operation.

A. further object of the improved process is to provide for drawing wire through a graduated series of reducing dies in such a manner as to take care automatically of variations in the rates of drawings of thel several drawing capstans, due largely to variations in the wear upon the dies, or due td p variations in the physical characteristics of different lengths ofthe same wire passing through the dies'. In this respect, the improved process will take care of the variations which occur in practice -withi'n predetermined limits, and when these limits have been reached, due to wear of the dies, or for other reasons, it becomes necessary tov stop the operation and substitute other dies.

- Both objects are attained by employing the wire-drawing capstans as a means for winding the wire in reverse direction, as it discharges from the capstans. The firstmentioned object is accomplished by causing the last capstan to form a succession of coils,` the coils being shifted away or removed from the coil-forming zone, at suitable intervals. ject is accomplished by drawing upon the reversely wound coils of wire formed by one capstan as a source of supply for the next die and capstan. rlhe rst-inentioned object may be accomplished in a practical way b v means of suitable take-up mechanism for receiving wire from the last wire-draw- 'llhe second-mentioned ob-V ing capstan and enabling the coils or spools of wire to be discharged, from time to time, without interrupting the wire-drawing operation, The second-mentioned object may be accomplished in a practical manner by associating storage-drums with the wiredrawing capstans, and utilizing each storage-drum as a source of, supply for the succeeding die and capstan. The storage-drum is independent of the wire-drawing capstan in the sense that it is capable of independent rotation, and in the transfer of the wire from a wire-drawing capstan to its associated storage-drum, the wire is wound, in a reverse direction, on the storage-drum, and thus the wire on the storage-drum is connected by a loop with the wire on the adjacent capstan, and vthis loop may travel around the axis of the capstan to any extent which may be necessary.

The improved process may be described conveniently in connection with one form of apparatus suitable for the practice ofthe invention. Such a form of apparatus is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in Whiclkn Figure l represents av plan view of a machine adapted to the practice of the imroved process; Fig. 2, a section taken as indicated at line 2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3, a broken plan section showing a portion of the take-up mechanism; and Fig. 4, a broken vertical sectional view showing a slight modification of a shield or guide associated with a capstan.

ln the machine illustrated, A represents a frame or bench which may be of any suitable construction; B, C, D, a series of parallel shafts upon which are rigidly secured, respectively, the wire-drawing capstans B', C', and D, B2 and C2, storage-drums associated, respectively, with the capstans B and C; E, takeup mechanism, or coil receiving and discharging mechanism equipped with a plurality of reels, preferablytliree in number, two of the reels designated E and E2 being shown in Fig. l, these reels being mounted on a carrier E4' supported.I and adapted to be periodically moved by a shaft FF; F, control mechanism through the medium of which the carrier E4 is rot-ated one-third of a revolution at suit-^ able intervals; and Gf, a coil-holder which serves to hold rod-coils, or coils of the stock Y,

which is to be drawn.

A a hollow bed and inasmuch asthe storage-` The frame A isshown as in the form of drums and the reels of the take-up mechanism are successively offset With relation to each other from one end of the machine to the other, the frame of the machine also preferably is stepped or suitably offset latrrally correspondingly, as appears from The shaft B is shown equipped with a driving gear or pulley l, through the medium of which power is applied. The shafts B, C and D are, in the illustration given, geared together to move at suitable speedratios by means of chain-belts 2 and 3. The shafts of the capstans should be positively geared together, and the gear-ratio should besuch as to take care of the successively increased rates of speeds at which the capstansoperate to enable them to receive. and discharge the wire as it comes from the successive reducing dies.

It may be stated here that in threading up the machine, suitableV turns of the wire are taken about the 'storage-drums and the gear-ratios should be such that a given storage-drum will receive from its associated capstan somewhat more wire than it delivers to the next die in the--normal operation of the machine. Thus, the storage-drum will tend to increase the number of coils stored thereon during normal operation of the machine. This increase need not be large, however, and in practice may be a little greater than is necessary to supply the next succeeding die during its life. When, however, the succeeding ldie becomes so much worn that it tends to deplete the storage on the drum which constitutes its source of supply, this fact will become evident to the operator, and will indicate the necessity of renewingthe die.v The movement, or lack of movement of the loo of the wire between a capstan and its associated storage-drum will serve to indicate to the operator the manner in which the dies are functioning.

The construction of the capstans and the associated storage-drums will be understood from Fig. 2. Thus, the capstan B is shown keyed to the shaft B. The capstan is provided preferably with a cylindrical surface 4 upon which is wound any desired number of convolutions of wire 5. The drum B2 is journalled-on an extension of the shaft B and is disposed adjacent the delivery end of the capstan B. The drum is provided with-a cylindrical surface 6 which is adapted to receive the coils of Wire, and is provided also with a sloping annular lat-y eral Wall 7-whose innercircumferential edge embraces the outer end of the capstan B. The frame A ofthe machine supports a shield 8 which' is carriedl by laterally extending posts 9. The shield 8 has an annular sloping wall 8a which lis separated from approximately equal.

the Wall 7 by a narrow space l0; and the outer circumferential edge of the shield 8 is provided with an annular flange 8b which projects over the inner flange 1l of the storage-drum B2.

The capstans are equipped with suitable gripping devices for causing convolutions of wire to be gripped upon the capstans, so that the capstans nwill serve to continuously form new convolutions thereon and discharge the final convolutions from the capstans and thus deliver/ the wire. to the storage-drums, or to a reel ofthe take-up mechanism, as the case may be. In the illustration of the machine which is now being described, the gripping device associated with leach capstan comprises spring tensioned arms equipped preferably with rollers which bear on the convolutions of wire on the capstans.

Again referring to the form of machine now being described, the gripping device associated with each capstan comprises three spring held presser-arms l2 (one shown) which are preferably equipped with rollers lf2,a which bear on the convolutions of wire. As shown in Fig. 3 each arm v12 has a. hub portion 12b which vis pivotally mounted in 0r on a boss 13 carried by the shield 8. ln the illustration given, the hub or shaft yof the arm is made hollow and contains leaf springs 14 which are connected at one end with the bottom of the bore in the boss 13 and at the other end with the hub 12b, so

yon the capstan, and it is likewise important to have the tension yof the several rollers The effect of the 4pressure-rollers is to cause the convolutions of wire to grip the capstan throughout the extent lof the surface of the capstan enveloped by the convolutions. Then the device functions normally this action occurs, and buckling of the convolutions at points betweenthe pressure-rollers ordinarily does not occur. In some cases, however, as when one is dealing With a very fine or very pliable wire, or when the tensioning of the rollers is not accurate, there is a tendency for some convolution or convolutions to buckle between the rollers. Vhere this occurs, the difficulty may be' obviated by employing theexpedient shown in Fig. 4 which will be described later.

.f "gEach capstan preferably is provided with a flange 15, adjacent to which the rst convolution of wire received on the capstan is located; and the gripping device preferably is arranged so that several convolutions of wire adjacent or near the flange will be gripped, as will be understood from Fig. 2. Experience has demonstrated, however, that in drawing some sizes and kinds of wire, it is not necessary to grip a large number of convolutions in order to eflectually draw the wire onto and feed it from the capstan.

Tn the illustration given, a series of three .reducing dies 16, 17 and 18, of successively yreduced diameter, is shown. Guide wheels 16a, 17a, and 18a, respectively, guide the wire lto these dies. The wire passes from the stock G through the die 16 to the capstan Thus, the wire forms a loop 5 between the capstan and the storage-drum. For convenience in threading thewire, the shield 8 preferably is provided with a slot 19 which is cut transversely through the shield, the slot preferably extending diagonally..

As the capstanpprogressively forms and discharges convolutions, the discharged wire passes through the annular space 10 onto the storage-drum B2, and is taken from the .underside of the storage-drum to the next succeeding die. Thus, as the wire is drawn through the next die, the storage-drum B2 rotates in a direction counter to the direction of rotation of the capstan B. The storage-drum is journalled on a reduced extension 2() of the shaft D and is held thereon by lock nuts 21, by means of which a certain amount of friction may be applied, if desired.

By way of example, the capstan B rotates at such speed with relation to the rotation of the next succeeding capstan C that additional -convolutions (beyond those initially placed on the drum B2 in threading the machine) will very slowly accumulate on the storage-drum. Tn other words, the machine is so geared that normally, and under perfect operating conditions, the capstan will deliver to the storage-drum, wire at a slightly greater speed than it is taken from the storage-drumv to meet the requirements of the next succeedingcapstan. Under these conditions, the loop 5a will advance clockwise very slowly, assuming the capstan to be rotating clockwise. 4As the next succeeding die wears, however, the Wire may be payed Athe other capstans.

guide plate,

inclined wall 22 mounted on arms 23 rad1at.

out from the storage-drum B2 at a faster rate than would be required by the unworn die. Under such conditions, the rate of advance of the loop frL will be gradually lessened, and finally the loop will cease to advance. This will occur at the moment when the wire payedout from the drum. B2 equals the amount received by the drum. When this condition occurs, the operator is instructed to renew the die. The machine can operate somewhat longer, but eventually, if the die is badly worn, all of the wire stored on the v storage-drum will be removed therefrom,-

and the wire will be broken unless the machine be stopped..

Tn the 'case of the last wire-drawing capstan, that is the capstan D, one of the takeup reels receives the wire as it is delivered from the capstan. Tn this case, the take-up reel remains stationary, or substantially so, while it is being filled. The capstan D has associated therewith a gripping device comprising suitable pressure members. Tn the illustration given, spring pressed arms equipped with rollers adapted to bear on convolutions of wire on the capstan are employed, the same as in connection with employed, the same as already described in connection with the other capstans. There Also, a shield 8 is.

is in thiscase, (Fig. 3) an inner shield, or

,in the form of an annular ing from a hub 24 which is journalled on the end of the shaft D and held in place by a nut 25. The spider thus described is capable of rotating with relation to the shaft D. Thereis between the wall 22 and the shield 8 an annular passage 26 through which the wire can pass to be deposited on the reel. The wire forms a loop in passing from the capstan to the reel and is wound on the reel in a direction the reverse of that on the capstan. As the wire is wound on the reel, the loop in the wire advances around the center which corresponds with the center of the shaft D, but, of course, does not travelforwardlyat the same speed as the peripheral speed of the capstan. The stiffness of the wire is suicient to cause the wire itself to 4 the reel slightly less than twice the diameter of the capstan. When this is done, the reel will not rotate, except as the diameter is increased by alayer or layers of wire on the reel. The reel may then be rotated by the RIN) against unwinding by means of ties 38a.

wire sufficiently toy compensate for theincrease in-diar'neter.a

The carrier shaft E5 is journalled in suitable bearings 27 and 28 with which the frame is provided. The shaft is automatically rotated, from time to time, by means which will be described presently. The carrier E4 is in the form of a hub 29 pinned .o the shaft E5 and equipped with radial arms 30 provided with bearings 31. Through the bearings 31 extend the shafts 32 of the reels. The outer ends of these shafts are equipped with lock nuts 33, which may be adjusted to regulate the friction, if desired. Each shaft 32 is provided with bores equipped with tension springs 34 whose inner ends are connected with a hub portion of a spider 35 which is adapted to serve as a coil-stripper.- The hub portion of the spider is equipped with a central guide pin 36 which extends freely through a central bore in the shaft 32.

Each reel is provided at its outer end with a ange 37,` and the'spider 35 is provided with a flange 35a forming a part of a ring 35b which is adapted to slide ori-the outer surface of the reel (Fig. 3). The reel is provi-ded with slots 38 through which extend portions 35c of the spider, these portions connecting with the ring` 35".

The reels may be provided, if desired, with retaining-fingers (not shown) adapted to be sheathed or retracted when the coil is to be discharged from the reel.

Tn Fig. 1, the reel E is shown in the4 loaded position, while the reel E2 is in position ready to be moved through the arc in which the stripper is actuated to discharge the coil 37". The coil is shown securd n this position, the third reel E8 is d isposed below the plane of the shaft Es and is ready to be moved to the loading position when the carrier is again actuated. The strippers are actuated by a segmental cam 39 which is in position to engage the plungers 36 as they are, in turn, carried past the cam. When the co`il drops from the reel, it may be received by a suitable runway (not shown). The wire between the loaded reel and the freshly positioned reel may be cut, at leisure, when the carrier E4 is at rest.

The control mechanism F may be of any suitable construction. Such mechanism may be adapted to actuate the shaft E5 periodically and turn the carrier -Ef one-third of a revolution at each actuation. If desired, means may be provided for regulating the length of" the period between actuations of the carrier, so that coils of any desired size may be deposited upon the reels.

The holder G for the coils G of rod is shown as adapted to support the coils on edge. The holder is provided with a conical end 40 which has a central perforation through which the stock is drawn from the interior of the adjacent coil. The rod passes beneath a roller 41, and thence up over the roller 16a and to the die 16. The final, or vouter end of the first coil of rod is connected with the inner end of the next coil of rod, as indicated at 42. The ends of the .coils may be welded together, if desired.

occur because of some inequality of tension,

because of some variation in friction at some point, or because of some variation of stiffness of the wire. The tendency to buckle, in any case, may be overcome by providing a guard about the capstan inthe manner illustrated in Fig. 4. 1n the modification shown in Fig. 4, represents a capstan and 1 represents a shield or dished guide plate which corresponds with the shield 8, previously described. The member I has the inner end of its inclined wall provided with a flange 44 which encircles the capstan rather closely, but without contacting normally with the convolutions of wire on the capstan. The ange 44 is divided into segments by slots 44a 4which correspond with the locations of the presser-rollers. In other words, the presser-rollers canV extend through the slots and engage the convolutions of wire on the capstan. In case of incipient buckling of convolutions, the surrounding wall afforded by the flange 44 will serve .to prevent serious buckling and facilitate the restoration of the normal condition in which the convolutions tightly grip the capstan.

Describing the operation of the machine briefly, the rod or stock which is to be reduced is drawn from a source of supply which may be constantly renewed by welding successive coils together. Thus, the wire passes from the first coil G through the die 16 to the capstan B', thence through a loop to form reverse convolutions on the storage-member B2, thence from the bottom of the storage-member' B2 over the pulley 17a and through the die 17 to the capstan C, thence through a reversing loop onto the storage-drum C2, thence from the bottom of the drum C2 over the pulley 18d1 through the die 18 to the capstan D', and thence through a reversing loop onto that reel of the takeup mechanism E which happens to be in receiving position. The capstans are positively driven, the second capstan in the succession being driven normally at a slightly slower speed than would be requisite to take the wire from the drum B2 at the same rate that it is deposited thereon, and the third capstan in the succession being driven at a slightly slower speed than would bey requisite to take the wire from the drum G2 as fast as it is deposited thereon. Under these conditions, and assuming the dies to be of the correct diameter and unworn, the loops, through which the wire passes in being transferred from the capstans to the storage-drums, advance slowly in thedirection of rotation of the capstans. Should the die 17, for example, become unduly worn, wire would be taken more rapidly from the storage-drunr B2 than at the outset, and the loop of wire advancing about the capstan B would have its advance gradually retarded. Finally the loop would reach a point where it would become stationary, and this would be an indication to the operator that the die i7 required renewing. The operation would, at the proper time, cut the wire between the source of supply and the rst die, and 4allow the machine to clear itself from wire. New dies would then be substituted, andthe wire would be rethreaded through the dies and about the capstans and storage-drums.

'llhe final cap/stan, D of the series, delivers the wire to a real which preferably is of such diameter that it will have little or no rotation at the outset. rEhe reel is free, however, to rotateon its axis, if necessary, suitable friction being applied, if necessary, to re-l tard the rotation. lf we assume the receiving reel to stand still, it, in eect, has a relatively` rearward rotation with respect to the capstan D. ln any event, the capstan D runs ahead of the reel and the loop of wire between the capstan and the reel'causes the wireto be carried about and deposited on the reel.

At suitable times, the control mechanism le operates to cause the carrier of the take-up mechanism to rotate one-third of a revolution. When the carrier of the take-up mechanism rotates, it carries a newly filled reel away from the receiving position and brings a fresh reel into the receiving position. rlhe wire may be severed between the reels at leisure, or it may be left connected, assuming that the reel is properly proportioned so that it need not rotate, or will have little rotation, if any, while the convolutions are being deposlted on the receiving reel.

With reference to the storage-drums, it may be stated that where a storage-drum is substantially twice the'dia-meter of the associated capstan, the drum may be held still and the capstan will then operate to draw anddeliver the wire through a loop which will advance about the axis of the capstan and the wire will, at the same time, lexpand and be deposited, in reverse revolutions, on

the stationary drum. Under such conditions, the expanded coils on the drum are stationary. lf the drum be made of a diameter substantially less than twice the diameter of the capstan, it will not take all of the wire delivered to it without rotating in a reverse direction, or without the coil rotating on the drum. The effect of rotating the storage-drum contra-clockwise while the capstan rotates clockwise, is to retard the advancing movement of the loop. lt would be possible vto make the storage-drum less than twice the diameter of the capstan for the reason that the storage-drum is rotated contra-clockwise as the wire is drawn therefrom to the next succeeding capstan. ln the case of a receiving-reel at the take-up mechanism, the drum should be substantially twice' as large as the capstan, or some multiple of the capstan, if it be desired to have the enlarged convolutions become stationary, so that the reel need not rotate.

rlhe machine illustrated enables a novel method of drawing and handling wire to be employed. ln this method, a predetermined number of convolutions of wire are gripped on a positively driven capstan, and the wire beyond the gripping convolutions passes through a loop and is formed into reverse convolutions of `enlarged diameter. rllhe loop serves the function of a planetary arm and the winding into reverse convolutions is thus effected by the capstan. rllhe receiving-drum, or reel, is a vehicle for receiving the reversely wound convolutions. rlthe eX- pansion of the convolutions to proper size in effect renders the convolutions nonrotating, or substantially so. 'llhat is, this is the normal effect, notwithstanding that in the case of the storage drums B2 and G2 the drums are reversely rot-ated by the Wire passing to the succeeding capstans, while in the case of the receiving-reel, the reel may be stationary, or substantially non-rotating, while the convolutions are formed thereon. ln any event, the, rotation of the reel may be so slow as to permit a newly filled reel to be removed from the receiving point and a fresh reel brought into position without stopping the convolution-forming process. rlhis enables a continued, or uninterrupted wire-drawing process to be practiced within the limits of the life of the dies. llt may be stated here that diamond dies may be employed, or dies of great longevity may be provided by any suitable method.

The improved process of drawing and handling wire serves to make breakages much less frequent, prevents scoring or excessive wear upon the capstans, and enables successive coils to be formed at the take-up mechanism, and discharged from said takeup 'mechanism, without interrupting the wire-drawing process. In the practice of vthis process, no momentary stoppage of the f' illustration given, the wire is delivered from drawingaction of the capstans occurs, and capstan and simultaneously discharging this is an additional reason why breakage lWire therefrom to form a free loop which ofthe wire is largely, if not wholly, obviated is caused by the action of the capstan to by the improved process. move about the axis of the capstan and effect lf we consider the capstan lD and the reverse winding of the wire as it is disoperation of the take-up mechanism, it will charged from the capstan. v \be understood that the capstan operates to 3. In wire handling, the method which pull or draw wire onto itselfand deliver the comprises winding wire continuously on a wire into reversely wound convolutions. So capstan and simultaneously discharging far as this action is concerned, it makes no wire therefrom in a loop-like path and redii'ference whether the wire is drawn from a finishing die, or from some other source of supply. Thus, the take-up mechanism is capa le of pulling or drawing wire from any desired source. lt may, for example, take wire from a reel and rewind it into a plurality of coils. It may serve to draw an independently revoluble storage-drum. wire through an annealing furnace, or 5. lin the taking of wire from a capstan, through a coating bath, and then rewind the method which comprises utilizing a loop the wire into smaller coils. As another exof the wire to serve, due to the stiness of ample, the take-up mechanism would serve the wire, as a means-for eecting reverse to take wire fron'. a very large spool, or coil, Winding of the wire which has described a and rewind it into a plurality of coils, or loop in passing from the capstan. onto a plurality of spools. While, in the 6. En wire handling, the method which comprises maintaining substantially a predetermined number of convolutions on a drawing capstan and taking the wire beyond said convolutions from the capstan and forming reverse convolutions.

7. lin wire handling, the method which comprises maintaining substantially a predetermined number of convolutions on a drawing capstan and taking the wire beyond said convolutions from the capstan as enlarged reverse convolutions.

8. In wire handling, the methodv which enlarged convolutions.

4. ln the taking of wire from a capstan, the method which comprises causing the wire to describe a loop and then form into enlarged, reversely wound convolutions on the capstan D and reversely Wound directly Von the cores, this is to be considered as illustrative only. Obviously, the winding of the wire on'spools, carried' by the reels, would be the same in principle, or the reels themselves may be regarded as removable spools. rlhe novel .process and 'machine are well adapted to the production of large coils` of comparatively heavy wire, enabling the coils to be of such size and weight as to enable them to be conveniently handled. However, the process and machine are applicable to the drawing of wire of smaller sizes, where the coils may nevertheless be formed of any desired weight. The present invention constitutes a modiication of the process set forth in my application No. 695,478, filed of even date herevolution formed 0n said capstan. i Wlth- A machine Well adapted to the prac- 9. In the handling of wire, the method tice of the process described in the present which comprises causing a predetermined application is fully shown and described in number of convolutions of wire to grip the my Pendlng application No. 689,651, led capstan, and taking the wire as it is formed January 31, 1924. beyond said convolutions in a loop-like rlhe foregolng detailed description has course and forming it into reverse convolubeen given for clearness of understanding tions about an axis substantially in alignonly, and no unnecessary limitations should ment with the capstan-axis.y be .understood therefrom, but the appended 10. In handling wire, the method which Cllmj should be construed as broadly as comprises progressively forming convolupermissible in view of the prior art.v --tions on a driven capstan and causing a What li regard as new, and desire t0 selimited number of said convolutions to grip cure by Letters Patent, is: the capstan sufficiently to exert the necessary l. In wire handling, the .method which drawing action, and discharging the wire comprises winding wire continuously on a. capstan andl simultaneously discharging ing it into a reversely wound coil in alignwire from the capstan and forming it into a ment with the axis of the capstan. loop and utilizing the action of the capstan 11. In handling wire, the method which to reversely wind the discharging wire into comprises progressively forming convoluconvolutions. tions ona driven capstan and causing a 2. In wire handling, the method which limited number of said convolutions to grip comprises winding wire continuously on a the capstan suiciently to .exert the necessary determined number of convolutions on a drawing capstan and taking the wire beyond said convolutions from the capstan in enlarged reverse convolutions which normally would be substantially a multiple of a conversely winding the wire from the loop in p comprises maintaining substantially a pre beyond the gripping convolutions and formdrawing action, and discharging the Wire beyond the gripping convolutions and forming it into reverse convolutions about an axis substantially in alignment with the axis of the capstan and maintaining the reverse convolutions as stationary or slowly rotating convolutions.

12. The method of taking Wire from capstan to capstan in a Wire-drawing operation,

which comprises reversely Winding the Wire a'sdt is taken fromone capstan and drawing a Supply for the next die and capstan from the reversely Wound Wire.

13. The method of taking Wire from a capstan which comprises unwinding wire from the capstan and forming it into reverse convolutions until a coil of desired size results, and then removing said coil Without stopping the drawing and reverse Winding operations.

14. In handling Wire, the method which comprises taking the Wire through a loop as it comes from a capstan and utilizing the action of the capstan to reversely Wind-the Wire into convolutions, allowing the operation to continue until a reversely-Wound coil of desired size is formed, and then shifting the coil thus formed from the forming position, Without stopping the reverse convolution-forming action.

FRANK HONIG. 

